HO RTR F59PHI w/DCC & Sound, PNR Christmas #1224

Detailed Information

NEW FEATURES:

All-new LED lighting

Sound Versions feature: Twin Sugar Cube Speakers

Ditch lights flash when horn is activated

The effort continues to enhance Athearn RTR models per customer requests and feedback. There has been a lot of activity behind the scenes; we’re excited to include new features often requested, to the F59PHI and upcoming RTR models.

AMT FEATURES:

The AMT operates Montreal’s commuter rail, it is the second busiest system in Canada after Toronto’s GO Transit. The company rosters a total of eleven EMD F59PHI diesels numbered 1320-1330.

Latest paint variant

AMTK FEATURES:

Amtrak began a campaign for better rail-safety awareness in the late 2000s. Several locomotives in Northern California (CDTX 2007) and Southern California (AMTK 455) service received these stylistic, full body printed, vinyl wraps. These locomotives provided a splash of color with their eye catching graphics.

METRA FEATURES:

In 2018 Metra in Chicago, IL purchased former Amtrak F59PHIs that were replaced by Siemens Charger locomotives in California and Washington states. The F59PHIs locomotives were re-lettered for their new owner and rushed into greater Chicagoland service.

Program a multiple unit (MU) lashup with lead unit only horn, bell, and lights

Many functions can be altered via Configuration Value (CV) changes

CV chart included in the box

PROTOTYPE SPECIFIC INFORMATION

The EMD F59PHI is a high speed locomotive produced by Electro-Motive Division (EMD) from 1994 to 2001. It features an isolated cab, lightweight body, and a streamlined shape, features that were absent on the original commuter F59PH.

First built for the California Department of Transportation(CDoT), the F59PHI has seen service in all four corners of America, (Mostly seen in California) as well as in the Pacific Northwest/Montreal area in Canada.

In 1990, the State of California passed a bill that would result in massive funding for the state transportation systems. It also resulted in a separate, state funded system of regional Amtrak routes.

CDoT wanted a locomotive that was both reliable and attractive. They approached EMD, who responded with the lightweight, high-speed F59PHI locomotive.

Soon after, more orders arrived. Amtrak ordered 21 of these locomotives for their Pacific Sufliner service (separate from Amtrak California), and the North Carolina Department of Transportation also selected it as their primary motive power. West Coast Express (operated by TransLink) in Metro Vancouver, also selected it for starting up its service.

Montreal’s Agence de Metropolitaine de Transport bought 11 of these locomotives to go with their Bombardier Bi-Level coaches, which were just arriving.

The F59PHI was produced until 2001. It was taken off of EMD’s lineup because it wasn’t able to meet the EPA Tier 1 regulations.

Some of Amtrak California’s F59PHI’s have been rebuilt by EMD, these are ECO repowers.

Sound Transit’s 2015 budget outlines plans to overhaul seven F59’s and four of those will be overhauled to Tier 3 standards.